Best Samsung Galaxy phones 2018: Ranked

Samsung Galaxy smartphones are among the most popular in the world, and with good reason. They are well built, slick handsets with a popular interpretation of Google’s Android mobile software.

From the top tier S-series and similar Note series to the A-series, Samsung has a strong range of Galaxy phones for all tastes and budgets. They are often more similar than you might imagine, and older flagship phones are always a strong option too.

The Galaxy S9 has launched and is now the best Galaxy phone out there. Although it doesn’t bring a huge change, we’re still impressed (if it ain’t broke, etc.). However, we can understand that for many the S8 will be more attractive due to its now much lower price.

After the Note 7 debacle, the Note 8 and now Note 9 are fine high-end smartphones, but at a price.

The A series and older S7 are also represented here. Many Samsung phones go down in price not long after launch, so you may end up spending less than you firs thought.

Let’s take a look at the best Samsung Galaxy phones below. You can also check out our overall list of the best phones to see how rivals like the iPhone XS and Huawei P20 Pro compare to the best phones here.

Best Samsung Galaxy Phones 2018

There’s no doubt that the Galaxy S9 is one of the best phones of the year. It offers an excellent all-round experience with Samsung expertly blending design, hardware and software to make a phone that will appeal to all kinds of users.

You only need to spend extra on the Galaxy S9+ if you really want the extra camera, bigger screen and other internal upgrades – more RAM, storage and a bigger battery aren’t as noticeable.

However, we can’t avoid the fact that the improvements – namely the camera and biometrics – are minor and in many ways the S9 is the same as the S8 but with a higher price tag. Those on last year’s model will unlikely be able to justify the upgrade and those on an S7 or earlier might want to grab the S8 at a now much lower price.

The Galaxy S9+ is a gorgeous and almost flawless phone, offering premium specs and features in a sleek and well-made design. There is the issue of it being very similar to its predecessor but we’re glad Samsung hasn’t dropped the headphone jack and introduced a notch – if it ‘aint broke.

It’s easily one of the best smartphones money can buy but a key question is whether you should get it over the regular S9. The answer is yes, but only if you can afford the extra cost, don’t mind the larger size and will make use of the additional features such as the second rear camera.

If you want an Android phone with every feature under the sun, the Galaxy Note 9 is it. With premium design, amazing battery life and the unique S-Pen, it’s pretty much the most you can spend on a phone right now.

That said, its features aren’t for everyone and it will be too big and expensive for many. The regular S9 has similar design and most of the features and costs less (and will fit in most pockets to boot).

But the Note 9 has the best display on a smartphone on its release and the 4000mAh battery has incredible stamina. It even has liquid cooling and can run the most demanding mobile games.

Even though the Note 9 is now out and improves the battery life and S-Pen, the Note 8 is still a killer phone.

The huge, amazing display is still among the best you can get while the processing power is still close to the very best. The dual cameras take excellent portrait photos and the only thing the S-Pen lacks compared to the Note 9 is Bluetooth.

You should be able to save a lot of money if you opt for it today over the newer model.

Samsung has taken the best phone from 2016 made it even better with an impressive Infinity screen and premium design. It ticks a shedload of boxes – as you’d expect from a flagship. It’s one of the best phones of 2017, and is nearly half the price of the iPhone X. But the biometrics are a let down.

If you want a slightly larger screen and battery, then the S8+ also gets our approval. Though now, the OnePlus 5T, for a non-Galaxy choice, offers staunch competition on specs and price.

If you’ve been missing the mini versions of the Galaxy S range then the Galaxy A8 is pretty much an S8 mini.

Getting some flagship design and specs in a cheaper phone makes the A8 a great mid-range choice. It’s not perfect though, namely that you can get some really decent phones for an even cheaper price – if you don’t mind not having a Samsung logo.

The Galaxy A6 is a solid mid-range phone offering Samsung design and specs for a very affordable price. We particularly like the style and the excellent cameras. Performance is good, too.

However, if you’re not too fussed about having the Sammy logo on your phone then the Moto G6 offers a little more for less money. It’s got a higher resolution screen and the Amazon exclusive model has 4/64GB of memory and storage for just £239 making it a real bargain.

The Galaxy A5 2017 is a fantastic mid-range phone, with the looks of a flagship and some decent performance and all-round specs.

It’s a good cheaper option that can be found for around £200, though if you can afford it you might want to look at the Galaxy S7, an older flagship that has a stellar camera and better specs than the A5.